The news isn't a surprise. Bradshaw, who has rushed for 869 yards and five touchdowns on 196 carries this season, sat out practice all week, his workload limited to riding on a stationary bike.

"It would have been a reach for him to be ready," Coughlin said Friday, in comments distributed by the Giants. "With someone like that, his constitution, you have to give him every benefit of the doubt. I'm sure he'd be disappointed right now. He thinks come game day it's all going to straighten out for him. In this case, it's, medically, really the only wise move.

Lombardi: Don't expand playoffs

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Bradshaw's injury coincided with a breakout game from rookie running back David Wilson, who's in line to make his first career start. Wilson set a franchise record with 327 all-purpose yards against the Saints and scored three touchdowns, and Coughlin said Friday he believes the rookie can be a 20-carry back for the Giants.

Wilson -- the subject of this week's "ATL Film Room" -- now has a golden opportunity to make himself a permanent fixture in the Giants' offense. In a related story, if you haven't picked up Wilson for your fantasy playoff matchup, you're already too late.